Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly laid down clear instructions for Vinicius Jr. ahead of the Madrid derby against Atletico, with the Portuguese coach keen to keep his forward away from distractions at the Metropolitano.
According to Defensa Central, Mourinho has spoken directly with the Brazilian about his approach to the game.
With Real Madrid looking to make an early statement against their city rivals, the manager wants Vinicius focused entirely on his football rather than the atmosphere surrounding the fixture.
The derby is expected to be fiercely contested, with Diego Simeone’s Atletico unlikely to make life comfortable for Madrid, making discipline particularly important for Mourinho as he prepares his side for one of the biggest fixtures of the season.
Mourinho wants Vinicius focused on football
The message from Mourinho is understood to be simple: Vinicius must concentrate on the match and avoid getting dragged into confrontations.
Mourinho does not want Vinicius to confront the stands. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
The Brazilian has frequently been targeted by opposition supporters, while his exchanges with referees and fans have also become part of the conversation around his performances. Mourinho wants that cycle broken in the derby.
The Portuguese coach has, thus, told Vinicius not to confront the stands or the referee, believing such incidents can take the forward away from his responsibilities and ultimately hurt Real Madrid.
Instead, Mourinho expects the winger to stay involved on both sides of the ball.
His attacking threat will obviously be central to Madrid’s plans, but the manager also wants him to contribute defensively and remain connected to his teammates throughout the contest.
Mourinho has already defended Vinicius
Mourinho’s instructions come with some context. After Real Madrid’s victory over Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium, the manager spoke openly about the treatment Vinicius receives during matches.
Mourinho wants Vinicius to focus just on football. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)
Defending his forward while acknowledging that the Brazilian is not without fault, Mourinho said: “Vini Jr. isn’t a saint, but what they’re doing to him is too much. It starts right from the first minute.
“I think it’s a pattern, something that repeats itself from one opponent to the next.”
That situation helps explain why Mourinho is now trying to manage the situation rather than just asking Vinicius to ignore it.
Hence, for Vinicius, the ideal outcome is to let his football do the talking.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
